Why Mentoring Matters

Posted by UTEC on January 18th, 2018

January is National Mentoring Month — which means it’s time to celebrate and reflect on the impact and beauty of mentoring.

We all have negative voices in our head telling us we can’t or shouldn’t. Mentoring provides positive effects in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations. Mentoring guarantees that someone who cares is present, who can provide guidance in tough times and make you feel like you matter.

At UTEC, mentoring is crucial. UTEC works with young people ages 17-25 who have chosen to redefine their futures. As young people are at the finishing stages of UTEC’s workforce development program levels, the life skills focus shifts to job-readiness skills and individualized next steps. Our Director of Career Pathways coordinate subsidized employment internships as a transition into external employment. We follow up with both the young adult and the employer during this period, to provide continued support and assist the young person in transition to permanent employment.

UTEC commits to another 2 years of follow-up once a young person exits the program. This provides continued support services, with dosage decreasing over time as the young adult demonstrates stability, and supports UTEC’s long-term data collection.

Become a mentor for at-risk young people — 1 in 3 are growing up without a mentor in their lives.

Thank a mentor that you’ve had in the past. January 25, 2018 is #ThankYourMentor Day! Make sure you mark your calendar.

Follow our social media campaign at #WhyIMentor.

The #WhyIMentor campaign allows staff/volunteers an opportunity to publicly recognize someone who serves as a mentor. The goal of the campaign is to honor extraordinary mentors and remind us all of the impact mentorship can have on our young adults!